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Yebda - England are strong

Algeria midfielder Hassan Yebda believes England do not have too many weaknesses his side can expose.

By Mike Barton

Last Updated: 16/06/10 8:31pm

Algeria midfielder Hassan Yebda believes England do not have too many weaknesses his side can expose ahead of their Croup C game in Cape Town on Friday.

Yebda has first hand experience of many of his opponents after spending a season on loan at relegated Portsmouth in the last campaign from Benfica.

The 26-year-old confessed that Fabio Capello's side had a lot of good players, but that his side know what it will take to pull off a shock result after opening with a 1-0 defeat to Slovenia.

Few weaknesses

"I watched England against the United States and I thought it was a good game," he said.

"They are two good teams and it will be very difficult.

"I don't see a lot of weaknesses in the England side, they have so many good players.

"But we will try to give our best. We want to win our final two games and qualify."

With all to play for in the group, Yebda's fellow midfielder Karim Matmour admitted that a point for either side would not be satisfactory if they have ambitions to qualify.

"There needs to be a winner of this match, otherwise it will be very difficult for both us and them (to qualify)," said Matmour.

"There are great individuals in all positions (for England) but this quality can also be a negative because it is often seen with large teams that individuals have difficulty in working together and are not always a great team."

Chaouchi doubt

Algeria have a fitness worry over goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi ahead of the game, with the 25-year-old spraining his knee in training on Tuesday.

Chaouchi, who was at fault for Robert Koren's winning goal for Slovenia, is likely to be replaced by Slavia Sofia's Rais M Bolhi.

"The doctors told me that he is not a definite starter for the match," said coach Rabah Saadane of Chaouchi's condition.